You work hard and deserve to get paid for your talents. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t get paid what they’re worth.
Do you deserve a raise? If so, asking your boss for an increase in pay can feel intimidating. That’s why it’s so important to learn tips on how to ask your boss for a raise.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of tactful ways to ask for a raise. Keep reading to learn some useful tips that can help take your career to the next level.
Research Current Salary Trends
Before approaching your manager about a raise, it’s important to have an understanding of salary trends for your position across the industry. After all, companies tend to base the salaries of their employees on what other companies are paying the same positions.
Do some research to learn what others are being paid so that management can clearly see that a raise is justified.
Prepare Your Pitch
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to walk into a salary discussion without first preparing what you want to say. Attempting to wing it will likely result in stumbling over your words and rambling.
Create an outline of the points you want to make so that you can speak with authority and clearly lay out the reasons you deserve more money.
For example, maybe you were instrumental in streamlining the payroll process by suggesting your company use PayStubs.net. Be sure to remind them of that! Now is not the time for modesty.
Prepare a List of Questions
Once you’ve decided what to say, you’ll need to prepare some questions for your manager. Try to anticipate their responses to various points you’ve presented. This will help you to be prepared with appropriate responses and to offer additional feedback, thus strengthening your case for a raise.
Decide on an Appropriate Time for the Conversation
Now decide on a good time for the conversation. Keep in mind that it’s never wise to simply confront your manager about a raise. And try to be sensitive about particular times of the year when their schedule might be overwhelmed with stressful issues.
Picking the appropriate time for the conversation can have a huge impact on how they respond to you, so be strategic and smart, and be sure to schedule a meeting rather than abruptly springing the topic on them out of the blue.
Schedule a Meeting
Once you’ve decided on the appropriate time to discuss the topic, schedule a meeting. This is much more professional than casually bringing it on them in the hallway or broaching the topic over lunch. Schedule an appointment, tell them the purpose of the meeting, and then spend time preparing.
Thank Your Manager for Their Time
After the meeting, be sure to thank your manager for listening. Regardless of their decision, thanking them for their time is a professional courtesy.
Tips for How to Ask Your Boss for a Raise
Life is expensive, that’s why you need to make sure you are paid every penny you deserve. Fortunately, the tips contained in this article will help you understand how to ask your boss for a raise. So be prepared, be confident, and let your words demonstrate why you are a valuable part of the company.
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